LeahRuth's self-ligating braces story *pictures*

If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!

ATTENTION NEW MEMBERS: Do not post full-face photos or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.

Moderator: bbsadmin

Message
Author
LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

LeahRuth's self-ligating braces story *pictures*

#1 Post by LeahRuth »

Hello everyone!!

After waiting years and years for braces, I finally got them in June. The journey so far has been a lot better than I expected... however, being the impatient person that I am, I spend a little time every day assessing my teeth in the mirror for any little sign of change!

The main problems:
-Crossbite
-Overbite (may require surgery in about a year, it's a skeletal issue... my bottom jaw is too short therefore my bottom teeth have flared out at an angle to compensate for the gap)
-SPACING!!


I've had 3 wire-changes so far, and each time they've upgraded me to a new type of wire (don't know if this change is normal or not... ortho. assistant said I'm "flying through the wires") I go about every 5 weeks and my next appointment is in November.

Oh, I also just got my 3 wisdom teeth removed on Sept 8th. Everything went well and it didn't interfere with my braces.


Finally, here are some extremely unflattering pictures of my mouth for you. Sorry for the quality of the self-cams, taking pictures inside my mouth isn't so easy!


Right side, taken at initial consultation
Image


Now, 3 and a half months into braces
Image


Left side, taken at initial consultation (my teeth close right on top of each other, and my cross bite)
Image


Now, 3.5 months later... my teeth don't touch when I close my mouth, so it's really awkward.
Image


Front... giant gap, and my lower jaw is really crooked.
Image


3.5 months later, gap is closing & jaw is slowly coming into place
Image



Top
Image


3.5 months later. It was really hard to take a picture, but I hope you can tell that one wonky molar is almost in it's place with the help if a button & elastic
Image


Bottom
Image

Now: *I can't get the picture to resize for some reason, so here's a link to the HUGE!!! picture*

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9231/p1020806q.jpg




There you have it!
I don't even know how all those gaps are going to be closed, I don't think there's even enough teeth in my mouth x_x

delightfulde
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 9:35 am
Location: philadelphia, p.a.

#2 Post by delightfulde »

We have the same type of braces!!!! I felt that I was flying through my wires as well. I just believe that my dentist is doing a good job and the end resuts are going to be great. Keep posting!!!

-D
April 13 09-spacer April 14 10-adj
April 15 09-braces (speed) May 12-adj
May 18 09 -1st adj
June 29 09-2nd adj.
Aug. 10- 3rd adj
Sept.14- 4th adj.
Oct. 12- 5th adj.
Nov. 4th-6th adj.
Nov. 9th-7th adj.
Dec. 9th-8th adj.
Jan. 4th- 9th adj.
Feb. 5th-10th adj
Mar.15th-11th adj
Image
[/url]

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#3 Post by LeahRuth »

Thanks for the reply. I hope my braces are actually as speedy as they claim ;D

gacta
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:26 pm

#4 Post by gacta »

What is the button/elastic like? I have a similar crossbite, and I believe I'll have to have something similar installed in order to fix it. Is the little button annoying? Are you biting down on the elastic often?

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#5 Post by LeahRuth »

It's actually not that bad. The first day or so it was weird having my tongue rub up against the button, but my jaw barely closes together on that side anyways so I don't bite through the elastic very often. I even eat with the elastic on, without any problems.

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#6 Post by LeahRuth »

Today was my 3rd adjustment on the top, 2nd on the bottom.

They were originally just going to change the wires, but then decided that they would add powerchains on the top, loops on the bottom, tie the loops to my brackets with smaller wires, and remove the button.

So now I've gained a couple fancy new torture devices, but I can finally stop wearing the elastic that was used to correct my cross bite on the left side.

4 months ago
Image

Today
Image


As you can see (or can't see) the powerchain is VERY subtle, behind my wires, and I can barely see it even when I've got my face shoved up against the mirror. We'll see how long it takes for them to get stained with delicious Korean food :roll:

Anyways, I'm going to go take some Ibuprofen & have a nap. As the woman was changing my wires she said "You're going to feel this" which is a lot harsher sounding than the usual "There may be some slight pressure." I'm guessing this translates to "have fun drinking your food through a straw for the next week."

alibracket
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:08 am
Location: Atlanta, GA

#7 Post by alibracket »

You have very nice teeth. They look very uniform and white. I like your central incisors (i sound like im flirting with your teeth) but seriously they are really nice

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#8 Post by LeahRuth »

Really? Thank you!! I try my best to keep them white, but I've always hated my central incisors the most. Hopefully that will adjust as I get used to the (good!) changes.

jxds
Posts: 271
Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:53 am
Contact:

#9 Post by jxds »

Your teeth are looking great. I'm glad you wore the button and elastic for such a short time, I wore just the same thing for like 6 months and it was really annoying!

Good luck!
braced 07/02/08, braces off january 2010
sentence: 18 months, upper and lower damons + elastics
Bonded+essix retainers
My story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=28298

Image

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#10 Post by LeahRuth »

Thank you! It's such a relief to have the button taken off, but I keep feeling like I'm missing something in my mouth. :roll:

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#11 Post by LeahRuth »

Hey guys! My next adjustment is tomorrow, but I was going through my pictures from November 2nd and that's when I noticed the changes that have happened since I got powerchains on. So since I'm too excited and I'm patient to wait until tomorrow to update, I'll do it tonight!

6 weeks ago/Today

ImageImage

So the gaps on the bottom are still horrifying, but the top is starting to close.

But it's the left side of my mouth that I'm really happy about:

6 weeks ago/Today

ImageImage



Yay!

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#12 Post by LeahRuth »

:shock: I didn't realize the pictures would stretch the page so badly. Aisssh, sorry.

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#13 Post by LeahRuth »

I now have powerchains on my bottom teeth too.

Image

Hopefully that large gap closes up pretty quickly.

LeahRuth
Posts: 83
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

#14 Post by LeahRuth »

Had another adjustment this morning.
They just replaced the elastic powerchains top & bottom, and stuck the same wires back on. She had the trim the wire on the bottom which means things are moving!!

Basically all of my gaps are closed now, except for this stupid giant on one of the bottom. They'll keep me with these powerchains for 5 more weeks.

My next appointment should be.... painful. They're thinking of putting an even thicker wire on the bottom, and adding elastics to start fixing my bite. Sigh, should be fun.

cheyeaitsxchelsea
Posts: 245
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:24 pm

#15 Post by cheyeaitsxchelsea »

You have lovely teeth :]

Post Reply